Surface mount connector

Abstract

Surface mount electrical connector has stamped U-shaped metal clips fitted on opposite ends of connector housing. Clip has transverse portion fitted flushly in top surface of housing to aid robotic placement. Shoulders stamped on parallel legs of clip provide snap fit to housing. Distal ends of legs extend below housing for interference fit in plated through holes of circuit board to anchor connector during soldering operations.

I claim: 
     
       1. An electrical connector for mounting to a printed circuit board, comprising: an elongate dielectric housing having a top surface, an opposed bottom surface, and two parallel sidewalls,   a plurality of contacts mounted in the housing, the contacts having solder tails aligned with respective pads on the circuit board,   at least one U-shaped metal clip on the housing, the clip comprising a transverse portion and two parallel legs extending therefrom, the transverse portion being received flushly in the top surface of the housing, the legs being received in respective sidewalls, the legs having respective distal ends having a larger cross section than the rest of the leg, the distal ends extending beyond the bottom surface of the housing for interference fit in mounting holes in the circuit board,   a shoulder member provided on each of the legs, the shoulder members being stamped at the transition between the distal ends and the rest of the respective legs, such that the shoulder members cooperate with the bottom surface of the housing to provide a snap fit against the bottom of the housing to retain the clip to the housing.   
     
     
       2. An electrical connector as in claim 1 wherein two said U-shaped clips are provided, one being received on each end of said elongate housing. 
     
     
       3. An electrical connector as in claim 1 wherein at least one channel is molded in said housing, said channel being continuous between said top wall and adjacent sidewalls, said channel being profiled to receive the clip therein flushly with the top wall and sidewalls. 
     
     
       4. An electrical connector for mounting to a printed circuit board, comprising: an elongate dielectric housing having a top surface, an opposed bottom surface, and two parallel sidewalls,   a plurality of contacts mounted in the housing, the contacts having solder tails aligned with respective conductive areas on the circuit board,   at least one U-shaped metal clip on the housing, the clip comprising a transverse portion and two parallel legs extending therefrom, the transverse portion extending along the top surface of the housing, the legs extending along respective sidewalls, the legs having respective distal ends having a larger cross section than the rest of the leg, the distal ends extending beyond the bottom surface of the housing for interference fit in mounting holes in the circuit board,   a shoulder member provided on each of the legs, the shoulder members being located at the transition between the distal ends and the rest of the respective legs, such that the shoulder members cooperate with the bottom surface of the housing to provide a snap fit against the bottom of the housing to retain the clip to the housing.   
     
     
       5. An electrical connector as in claim 4 wherein two said U-shaped clips are provided, one being received on each end of said elongate housing. 
     
     
       6. An electrical connector as in claim 4 wherein at least one channel is molded in said housing, said channel being continuous between said top wall and adjacent sidewalls, said channel being profiled to receive the clip therein flushly with the top wall and sidewalls.